Siamese–Cambodian War (1591–1594)

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Siamese–Cambodian War (1591–1594)
Date1591 – 3 January 1594
Location
Cambodia
Result Siamese victory
Belligerents
Ayutthaya Kingdom
Kingdom of Cambodia
Commanders and leaders
Naresuan
Phra Ratcha Manoo
Soryopor (POW
)
Units involved
Royal Siamese Army
 Cambodian Army
Spanish mercenaries
Portuguese mercenaries
Strength
~100,000 troops [1] 75,000
150 junks
Casualties and losses
Unknown 90,000 Cambodians including Prince Soryopor were taken hostage to Ayutthaya.[2]
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The Siamese–Cambodian War (1591–1594), was a military conflict fought between the

Kingdom of Cambodia. The war began in 1591 when Ayutthaya invaded Cambodia in response to continuous Khmer raids into their territory. The Kingdom of Cambodia was also facing religious disagreements within the country. This gave the Siamese a perfect opportunity to invade. The first invasion was interrupted before it achieved its goals. The Ayutthayan king Naresuan returned two years later, eventually subjugating the whole country and finally sacking the Cambodian capital of Longvek
on 3 January 1594.

Background

Prince Naret, also known as the "Black Prince" (

Mahathammarachathirat and his queen consort, Wisutkasat. His mother was a daughter of Maha Chakkraphat and queen consort Suriyothai. His father was a Sukhothai noble who had defeated Worawongsathirat in 1548 and put Maha Chakkraphat on the Ayutthaya throne, thus receiving the regency of Phitsanulok.[3]

During the course of the

Mahathammarachathirat as their vassal and shortly releasing Naret in exchange for his sister. In 1571, Mahathammarachathirat bestowed Naret with the title of Uparaja of Phitsanulok, changing his name into Naresuan.[3][4][4][5]

In 1581,

Pegu and receiving the support of numerous Shan immigrants, Naresuan was able to repel four large-scale Burmese invasions between 1584 and 1590.[6][7][8][9]

Having cemented his control over the western border, Naresuan turned his attention to Cambodia. Ayutthaya and Cambodia had fought each other on numerous occasions since at least 1350. Cambodia had however entered a state of

Phra Pradaeng, and the city of Ayutthaya. The raids were characterized by forced population transfers aimed at repopulating Cambodia.[10][11]

History

Conflict

The first campaign against Cambodia was launched in 1591, when the Siamese under general Phra Ratcha Manoo invaded through the Phra Charuk passage. Cambodian king Satha dispatched armies to Pursat and Battambang while also preparing an ambush in the Ranam forest. Despite initial success, the Cambodians were eventually driven out of Ranam after Thai reinforcements launched a second assault on the position. Pursat and Battambang soon fell into Thai hands, while the Longvek citadel became besieged. The siege lasted for three months, after which a combination of logistical issues and Cambodian counterattacks forced the Thais to retreat beyond the border.[12]

After warding off another Burmese invasion in 1593, Naresuan divided his army into four columns in preparation for another assault on Cambodia. The first column assembled in Nakhon Ratchasima, while aiming to attack

Long Xuyen). The third army moved on Banteay Meas, while the fourth army once more targeted Pursat and Battanbang. The four armies would then be able to simultaneously strike the already surrounded Longvek. The Cambodians had in turn assembled a force of 75,000 men and 150 junks that occupied key positions in Babaur, Battambang, Pursat, Banteay Meas, and Phnom Penh. Siamese scouts managed to detain a number of Cambodian soldiers who upon interrogation revealed the positions of their comrades. The newly-acquired information facilitated the fall of Battambang.[13][14]

A second battle fought in front of Pursat ended in defeat for the Cambodians, who were outflanked during the course of the battle. Three days later, the Siamese forces reached Babaur and began digging trenches around the city. By dusk Siamese sappers had

Lovek, Soryopor assumed direct command of the defenses as his brother Chey Chettha had by that time abandoned the city. Assisted by Spanish and Portuguese mercenaries Soryopor reinforced the walls with cannons and spikes, while also requesting assistance from Vietnam and the Spanish governor of Manila.[15][16]

In the meantime the Cambodian navy was overpowered outside Moat Chruk, as the Siamese armies slowly converged on Longvek. Siamese engineers began the siege by erecting earthworks that surpassed the city's fortifications in height, thus enabling them to fire directly at the city. The Cambodians responded by building a second wall that shielded the city from bombardment. On 3 January 1594, following an hour long artillery preparation, Naresuan's army stormed the city. Siamese war elephants went on to break the city gates, allowing the infantry to penetrate the inner walls and slay the remnants of the garrison. Although King Satha managed to escape into neighboring

Soryopor, were taken to Ayutthaya.[2]

Aftermath

Following the Siam capture of the capital at Longvek, Cambodian royals were taken hostage and relocated to the court of Ayutthaya, kept under permanent Siamese influence, and left to compromise and out-compete each other under the overlord's scrutiny.[17]

See also

Notes

  1. ISBN 9781135954949
    .
  2. ^ a b Jumsai 1976, pp. 227–231.
  3. ^ a b Rajanubhab 2001, p. 67.
  4. ^ a b Rajanubhab 2001, p. 36.
  5. ^ Rajanubhab 2001, p. 75.
  6. ^ Jumsai 1976, pp. 173–175.
  7. ^ Jumsai 1976, p. 179.
  8. ^ Jumsai 1976, p. 182.
  9. ^ Jumsai 1976, p. 189.
  10. ^ David Wyatt (1971). "THE ABRIDGED ROYAL CHRONICLE OF AYUDHYA" (PDF). The Siam Society. Retrieved 12 June 2015.
  11. ^ Jumsai 1976, p. 213.
  12. ^ Jumsai 1976, pp. 214–215.
  13. ^ Jumsai 1976, pp. 215–217.
  14. ^ Jumsai 1976, p. 220.
  15. ^ Jumsai 1976, pp. 222–223.
  16. ^ Jumsai 1976, p. 225.
  17. ^ "Mak Phœun : Histoire du Cambodge de la fin du XVIe au début du XVIIIe siècle - At the time of the invasion one group of the royal family, the reigning king and two or more princes, escaped and eventually found refuge in Laos, while another group, the king's brother and his sons, were taken as hostages to Ayutthaya" (PDF). Michael Vickery’s Publications. Retrieved 1 July 2015.

References

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